“My workout is getting better and wiser in spite of / because of my pain.”
“They are doing really well in sales this year in spite of / because of lack of resources before the merger.”
“I smile, joke and enjoy my time with my friends in spite of / because of what I might come home to.”
“She decided to help me in spite of / because of the effort it would require of her.”
Change one phrase for another, and the perspective changes. The reasons, motivations, excuses for (in)action shift in and out of focus. The places you come from look different – so do the places you’re going. The people in the sentences – including yourself – are seen in a different light.
This won’t work every time: the results will sound cheesy, fake, or too gloomy and fatalistic. Your job, when faced with a “despite,” is to figure out what would happen if “because” took its place – and vice versa.
Wiktor (Vic) Kostrzewski (MA, DELTA) is an author, translator, editor and project manage based in London. When he works, he thinks about languages, education, books, EdTech and teachers. When he doesn’t work, he probably trains for his next triathlon or drinks his next coffee.
BRAVE Learning (formerly known as 16 Kinds) is a lifelong learning and productivity blog. If you enjoy these posts, please check out one of my books and courses.
My recent publications, and my archive, is now all available on my new project: PUNK LEARNING. Hope to see you there!